Automatic control means for feeder

ABSTRACT

An electrical circuit is provided for powering an alternating current motor of a conventional feed dispensing device or other devices with the circuit being operable for a selected short period of time under the control of an automotive type electrically wound clock having a first circular array of pin contacts engageable by a ribbon contact on the hour hand and a second circular array of pin contacts engageable by ribbon contacts on the minute hand with power to the alternating current motor being provided by an inverter operated at only those times when the hour hand and the minute hand pin contacts are simultaneously engaged so as to close the circuit to the inverter.

United States Patent Attorney-Mason, Fenwick & Lawrence 3,444,391 5/1969 Smith 307/141 ABSTRACT: An electrical circuit is provided for powering an alternating current motor of a conventional feed dispensing device or other devices with the circuit being operable for a selected short period of time under the control of an automotive type electrically wound clock having a first circular array of pin contacts engageable by a ribbon contact on the hour hand and a second circular array of pin contacts engageable by ribbon contacts on the minute hand with power to the alternating current motor being provided by an inverter operated at only those times when the hour hand and the minute hand pin contacts are simultaneously engaged so as to close the circuit to the inverter.

PATENTED m3] I971 36021729 I N VENTOR LESLIE E. GALLuP WQSZ'K Q@ awmmo ATTORNEYS nature, must'fi'equently be locatedfar in the field ma enable interch m'ents va'ryi' i through the provision of *cbnti" I 1 5 provided for *operating ariintermittently wound automotivetype clock; Tlieclock melnb'er is provided with a first-"circular minute hand similarly p siti'oned me'mber niountd in any' of thes6cketmembers of thesecond 70 arra'yFTh'e le'ngtho'f the riblion' contact-"on the 'minut'e' hand AUTOMATIC coNrRoLMEA s FOR FEEDER .QF, insist/Emmi s iri the field controldevices andi'sspeciil- I directed to th'e co'mbinationof'a timer contro ystem ap'da wildlife sewer or the like operating the feed giventinie periodat a 'desiredfti 7 e or times of day. Even ore specifically, the invention is' directe'djto a battery jo 'systemfor providing alternating cu rent from a battery alternating ventional alternating currentlisia relatively simple matter since there are numerous alteinat'ing c'ur rent driventimersavailable forproviding altemating urrentiafdesired times and for desiredtime'intervalsl l-lowever,wildlife feeders, by th from any source "of conventional alternating current. Consequently, iti' current timer" if such seasons: Additionally, it is des'ireable "f that all wildlife feeders b'e' interchangeable betweeniem'ote 10- i cations in'which alternating currentis-not available arid those locations in which alternating 'curr entis available in order to "age ofth vari" l Prior of this invention, no' satisfactory means haveii been feeders in locations nothaving alternating current; Moreover,

' prior to this invention, noknown 'wildlife feeders were capable of being usedinrer'note 'locationsnot having alternatingcurrent and also being capable of'beiiigused in thosel'ocations having alternating current.

F THE lNl/ENTION current! obtainmentiof the array of tubular sleeve-type socket members hi ih are ""threaded as receive 'a threaded r'odlike'pin contact member;

' the form of a plastic plate 42-provided withznumericaldesignators 44' indicative of the hours of the day. :A%removable cover The pin contact member canbe inserted in any one 'oftli'e tu- 'members"i's provided outwardlyof the .first circular array with "engaging any. Contact determinesthe duration of engagement "of the ribbon' coritact with 'the particu'lar'rod like"=contact; A pair of electrically operablesolenoids are provided' with each solenoid-having a I normally open switch. The normally open switches of the fir'st 'mpossible'to empliiyfconventional alternating l the preferred embodiment of the invention; v FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the clock f e the e fli ing employedinthe preferredembod' ent a v by 'QFIG. 3 is a side elevational view partial M clock member of FIG. 2. l proposed for automatically enabling the operation of'wildlife 30 i u ventional wildlife feeder 2 2. having an alternating current .drive motorv (not shown) in a motor housing 24.: The actual and second solenoids are"connectedin series to one pole of a conventional inverter: The otherpole of the inverter is connected to the battery and electrical potential is provided to the liandle of the clock fr'om a conductor connectedto the batteryuThe first solenoidcoilis connected to" thefirstc'ircular array of socket members and the second solenoid coil is connected to'the second solenoid'coil 'isconne'cted to the second circular array of socket members; Consequently, it is necessary forboth the "hour hand and ther'n'inute hahdto be contacting one of the pin contact members or the and second circular arrays respectively in order for bothof the solenoid switch elementsto be simultaneously closed-to operate the inverter. The'power'oiitput fromthe inverterisin the' form of alternating "current which drives an' alternating current motor for operating the-feeder. The duration of the tiinetperiod during'which the feeder is operateddepends up'on' the length of the ribbon contact memberon the rn i nute h'and and can be FlGi l'isa schematic of the electrical DESCRlPTIQN OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT generally designated 20 which is provided for operating a confeeder employedis immaterial insofar as this invention is concerned'andpracticallyand conventional feeder operated by an alternating current motor could be employed.

Battery 26 is providedwith a first, or negative, terminal 28 and a 'second, or positive, terminal 30. First and. second main power lines 32 and 34 extendvfrom the first and second terminals .28 and 30 andgare connected to.a winding motor 36 of a'isubstantially conventional automobile-type clock drive of i ithe typein which the .winding motor 36 is, intermittently -operated for winding the clock. However, the clock device has been modified through variation of the driveratio to the hour I hand to the extent that the hour hand makes only one revolution for' each 24 hours. Therefore, theclock is a 24-hour clock. Such. clockstarey conventional andthe :details of con- ;struction of the clockaform no partaof thisinvention. The Works of clock$8 are mounted withinan enclosure 40 which protects the works of the clock from theenvironmental dan- "gers of moisture, dustlandthewlike. Theface of the clock is in fits over the face of the clock. Additionally, the clock in- Mcludesan hourhand 46 and 'a minute hand 48 respectively "mounted on coaxial drive shafts 47*and 49- extending forwardly of plate 42;":A flexibleribbo'n like contact50-is provided to'extend fron'r the' endof thehour handand a similar flexible' ribbonlike contact 52:extends fromtheendof the minute hand 48, Both the'hour hand andthe minute hand can be removed if desired inorderto'enabletreplacement with hands havingribbonilike contacts Qfdifferent lengthfor a purpose to bedis'cussedhereinafter:

Each individual socketcmemberc'omprises 'a hollow cylindrical threaded sleevelike member having threads on its interior so that an hour hand pin contact member 58 can be'threaded into any one of the sockets 56 as desired. Contacts 58 are in the form of a solid electrically conducting rod or' pin as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the individual sockets 56 are connected by a circular electrical conductor 60.

Similarly, a second circular array 62 of sockets is provided outwardly of the first circular array 54 and is formed of a plurality of socket members 64 which are of a larger diameter than the socket members 56. Each of the socket members 64 of the second circular array is connected electrically to the others by means of a circular conductor 66. A pin contact member 65 having threads on one end is receivable within any one of the socket members 64 in the same manner as pin contacts 58 are received in sockets 56. However, it should be noted that the contacts 65 are of greater length and diameter than the contacts 58 as shown in FIG. 3 in order that contacts 65 will be engaged by the ribbon like contact 52 on the end of the minute hand 48. Similarly, it should be notedthat the contacts 58 are engageable by the ribbon like contact 50 on the end of the hour hand 46 but are too short to be engaged by the minute hand 48.

A conductor 68 conducts the minute hand and the hour hand to the second main power line 34. The circular conductor 60 of the first array of sockets is connected by a conductor 70 to one coil terminal of a first relay solenoid 72 and the other coil terminal of the first relay solenoid 72 is connected by a conductor 74 to the first main power line 32. The first solenoid 72 includes a normally open switch 76 which is closed upon actuation of the solenoid coil of solenoid 72.

In like manner, the conductor 66 of the outer array 62 of sockets is connected by a conductor 78 extending to one terminal of the coil of a second relaysolenoid 80. The second relay solenoid 80 is provided with a switch contact 82 that is normally open in the same manner as switch contact 76. The other terminal of the coil of second relay solenoid 80 is connected by a conductor 84 to the first main power line 32.

Switch contacts 76 and 82 are connected in series by conductors 86, 88 and 90 respectively extending from the second main power line 34 to one terminal of a conventional inverter which, when provided with direct current, provides an alternating current output to power output lines 100 connected to the alternating current motor housing 24. The other input ter minal of the inverter 92 is connected by a conductor 104 to the first main power line 32.

in operation, the user inserts an hour hand pin contact 58 in the particular socket member of the first circular array of socket members which correspond to the hour in which it is desired that the feeding operation take place. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a pin 58 positioned in the socket corresponding to 3 a.m. on the 24-hour scale.

Similarly, a minute hand pin contact 65 is inserted in the socket in the second circular array of sockets corresponding to the initial minute of the feeding period to be provided.

For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a minute hand pin contact 65 in the position corresponding to 40 minutes past the hour.

I Therefore, the minute hand would engage the pin contact 65 at approximately 40 minutes past the hour and will remain in contact with the pin 65 for a time period depending upon the length of the ribbon contact 52. The shorter the contact-the shorter the time period.

If one assumes that the pin 58 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 and the pin 65 is similarly in'the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the hour hand would initially engage the pin 58 at approximately 3 oclock at which time the minute hand would be in substantially the 12 'clock position. The hour hand would remain in contact with pin 64 for almost 1 hour due to'the flexibility and length of ribbon contact 50. The engagement of the hour hand with the pin contact 58 will serve to complete a circuit from the battery through the second main power line 34, conductor 68, hour hand 46, ribbon contact 50, pin contact 58, circular conductor 60, conductor 70, first solenoid coil 72, conductor 74 and first main power line 32 to the other terminal 28 of battery 26. Consequently, solenoid 72 will be activated to close contact switch 76. However, a circuit could not be completed to the inverter 92 at this time since the second solenoid cannot be activated until the minute hand engages the pin contact 65 (some 40 minutes hence). However, upon the passage of approximately 40 minutes, the minute hand ribbon contact 52 engages pin 65 to actuate the second solenoid coil 80 and close switch contact 82 to complete the circuit through conductor 86, conductor 88, switch contact 76 (previously closed when the hour hand engaged pin 58) and conductor to the inverter 92. Consequently, alternating current is provided from inverter 92 to line for operating the feeder 22. However, as soon as the minute hand moves past the 40-minute position to an extent sufficient for the ribbon contact 52 to clear the pin contact 65, the second solenoid 80 will be deactivated to deactivate the circuit to the inverter. The circuit will not again be reactivated for 24 hours since it will be that length of time before the hour hand again contacts the pin contact 58. However, it is possible to provide additional 'hour hand pin contacts for operation more often than once every 24 hours if desired.

Therefore, it will obviously be seen that the time duration of the feeding operation by the feeder 22 will depend upon the length of the ribbon contact 52. This contact periodcan be varied to provide feed periods of varying duration; however, the normal feed period is 2% minutes. It would be impossible to provide such a small feed period duration by relying solely upon the hour hand since the period of time that the hour hand will contact thepin is much greater to its more slower rate of movement and even if a short ribbon contact is used.

Additionally, the time period of a feeding operation can also be extended by the insertion of additional minute pins so that the minute hand contact can continue through one or more adjacent pins.

I claim:

1. An automatically operable control means for an alternating current drive motor of a feed dispensing means for actuating said motor at selected times for a giventime of operation for dispensing feed during said period of operation, said control means comprising battery means, clock means connected to said battery means for operation, an hour hand and a minute hand on Said clock means, ribbon contact members respectively extending from the ends of said hour hand and said minute hand, a first circular array of fixed socket members capable of fixedly supporting an hour hand contact pin engageable by the ribbon contact on the hour hand, a second circular array of fixed socketmembers capable of fixedly supporting a removable minute hand contact pin engageable by the ribbon contact on the minute hand, electrical conductor means connecting all of said socket members of said first circular array to each other, electrical connector means connecting all of said socket members of said second circular array to each other, inverter means having a first pole connected to one pole of said battery means and a second pole connected to the other pole of said battery means through a circuit including conductor means connecting a first normally open switch contact of a first relay solenoid and a second normally open switch contact of a second relay solenoid so that said first and second relay solenoids must be operated simultaneously to close said first and second normally open switch contacts to provide current to'said inverter, power output lines from said inverter for providing alternating current to said alternating current motor upon operation of said inverter, the coil of said first solenoid being connected to said first circular array of fixed socket members so that engagement of the ribbon contact on the hour hand with a contact pin in the first circular array actuates said first solenoid, said second solenoid being connected to said second circular array of fixed socket members so that engagement of the ribbon contact on the end of the hour hand with a pin contact in said second circular array energizes said second solenoid whereby said inverter is operated to provide alternating current to the alternating current motor.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said socket members of said first circular array and of said second circular array comprises tubular members threaded on their interior with said contact pin having mating threads receivable into said tubular members.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said clock is an automobile-type clock that is intermittently wound by said battery.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said hour hand is removable to permit substitution of another hour hand having a ribbon contact of different length to vary the time period that the ribbon contact will be in contact with a particular pin.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said clock is an automobile-type clock that is intermittently wound by said battery.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said hour hand is removable to permit substitution of another hour hand having a ribbon contact of different length to vary the time period that the ribbon contact will be in contact with a particular pin.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said hour. hand and said minute hand are connected by a common connector to said other pole of said battery means.

8. The invention of claim 7 additionally including a removable housing enclosing said clock face but removable for enabling access to said clock face. 

1. An automatically operable control means for an alternating current drive motor of a feed dispensing means for actuating said motor at selected times for a given time of operation for dispensing feed during said period of operation, said control means comprising battery means, clock means connected to said battery means for operation, an hour hand and a minute hand on said clock means, ribbon contact memberS respectively extending from the ends of said hour hand and said minute hand, a first circular array of fixed socket members capable of fixedly supporting an hour hand contact pin engageable by the ribbon contact on the hour hand, a second circular array of fixed socket members capable of fixedly supporting a removable minute hand contact pin engageable by the ribbon contact on the minute hand, electrical conductor means connecting all of said socket members of said first circular array to each other, electrical connector means connecting all of said socket members of said second circular array to each other, inverter means having a first pole connected to one pole of said battery means and a second pole connected to the other pole of said battery means through a circuit including conductor means connecting a first normally open switch contact of a first relay solenoid and a second normally open switch contact of a second relay solenoid so that said first and second relay solenoids must be operated simultaneously to close said first and second normally open switch contacts to provide current to said inverter, power output lines from said inverter for providing alternating current to said alternating current motor upon operation of said inverter, the coil of said first solenoid being connected to said first circular array of fixed socket members so that engagement of the ribbon contact on the hour hand with a contact pin in the first circular array actuates said first solenoid, said second solenoid being connected to said second circular array of fixed socket members so that engagement of the ribbon contact on the end of the hour hand with a pin contact in said second circular array energizes said second solenoid whereby said inverter is operated to provide alternating current to the alternating current motor.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said socket members of said first circular array and of said second circular array comprises tubular members threaded on their interior with said contact pin having mating threads receivable into said tubular members.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said clock is an automobile-type clock that is intermittently wound by said battery.
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said hour hand is removable to permit substitution of another hour hand having a ribbon contact of different length to vary the time period that the ribbon contact will be in contact with a particular pin.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said clock is an automobile-type clock that is intermittently wound by said battery.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said hour hand is removable to permit substitution of another hour hand having a ribbon contact of different length to vary the time period that the ribbon contact will be in contact with a particular pin.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said hour hand and said minute hand are connected by a common connector to said other pole of said battery means.
 8. The invention of claim 7 additionally including a removable housing enclosing said clock face but removable for enabling access to said clock face. 